Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Markham

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Similar to what other municipalities are experiencing, the Markham economy has been negatively
impacted by the effects of COVID-19. The City anticipates 2021 will be a difficult year for the
community and as a result, Council knew it was important to approve a zero per cent property tax
rate increase.

The City of Markham’s 2021 Budget delivers responsible and sound Stewardship of Money
and Resources, as outlined in the Building Markham’s Future Together: 2020-2023 Strategic
Plan. Together, Markham Council and staff are working to continue the delivery of exceptional
services and support for the community during COVID-19.

How is Markham helping residents and businesses who are experiencing
financial hardship?
Council approved property tax and fee relief measures earlier this year to help residents and
businesses experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. These measures are
scheduled to end on December 31, 2020.

In anticipation that COVID-19 will continue to impact many Markham property taxpayers, in
2021, Markham Council has approved a new Property Tax and Stormwater Fee Payment
Deferral Program to support property owners who have been financially affected by COVID-
19. This assistance is by application only and is meant to aid residential and business
property owners who require payment flexibility throughout the 2021 taxation year. More
information about this program and eligibility requirements can be found at
markham.ca/TaxRelief.

Additionally, the suspension of the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) from April 1, 2020
to December 31, 2020, to provide relief to hoteliers, will continue throughout the 2021
taxation year.

How is Markham helping local and small businesses?
On May 28, 2020, the City of Markham became
the first municipality to join the Canada-wide
Digital Main Street’s shopHERE program,
powered by Google, to help support businesses
who have been negatively impacted by COVID-
19. ShopHERE helps independent businesses
and artists develop and launch a professional
online store, at no cost to the business, with
support from marketing and business students.

This program was unanimously endorsed by the Destination Markham Corporation Board (DMC),
which continues to work on a recovery plan and strategies focused on reviving tourism, the
hospitality industry, and the wider local economy.

On November 16, 2020, the City of Markham announced its collaboration with Ritual and DoorDash.
The Open for Business program provides locally-owned and operated small businesses with a
commission-free way to conduct online sales through their own websites and social media, and to
enable contactless ordering at brick-and-mortar stores. The program also helps these businesses
provide delivery service.

On December 1, 2020, the City of Markham announced its newest partnership with SkipTheDishes
to help local restaurants weather the second wave of COVID-19 during the holiday season. From
December 2, 2020 to January 2, 2021, restaurants that join SkipTheDishes will pay zero per cent
commission for the first 30 days. In addition, Markham diners will receive free delivery on every order
over $20 that is placed through the app during this one-month promotional period.

In addition, the Markham Small Business Centre (MSBC) and the City of Markham offer a variety of
resources to help support the local economy. These include:
● Small Business Recovery & Digital Resilience Program ($5K grant)
● Free online small business seminars and workshops
● Access to expert advice
● Entrepreneur funding opportunities
● Temporary Patio Program extension
● And more!

How is Markham combating anti-Black racism?
As part of the City’s strategy to combat anti-Black racism, Markham is committed to taking
immediate and proactive steps to fight and prevent systemic racism in our decision-making,
programs and services. Recognizing that more needs to be done to combat anti-Black racism,
promote equality and support diversity and inclusion, Markham Council unanimously endorsed the
Strategy, which includes undertaking an equity audit and an update to the Diversity Action Plan –
Everyone Welcome. The City is devoting more than $100,000 towards the Diversity Action Plan
refresh and is actively working to plan community consultations to assist in developing updated
recommendations.

City of Markham Council and staff are also receiving education on anti-Black racism to be better
informed to influence the actions we take as an organization – for our staff and the community.

How is Markham growing our green spaces?
Markham will invest $11.7M in the first phase of the Markham Centre Trail
(from Warden Ave. to Birchmount Rd.) and the construction of five new
parks. These include: Celebration Park (Ward 7), Blodwen Davies Park
(Ward 5), Yonge & Grandview Park (Ward 1), Green Lane Park (Ward 1),
Berczy Beckett Park (Ward 6), and Markham Centre Trail Phase 1B (Ward
3).

Since 2014, the City of Markham has consistently created and designed its
parks with the goal of making them ready for residents as soon as possible
after they move into a new community. A total of 60 new parks, totaling
147.15 acres of public space, have been constructed as part of this
program.

As part of the Trees for Tomorrow Program, the City will continue to plant
trees through our partnerships adding to the more than 400,000 trees
already planted through the program. This contributes to Markham’s
strategic goal to increase our tree canopy to 30 per cent.

These new green spaces will improve air quality and preserve the environment.

The Neighbourhood Tree Maintenance Program is an ongoing City-wide initiative that enhances
the health of our urban forest and resolves service requests related to street trees that are owned
by the City. Launched in February 2020, the Neighbourhood Tree Maintenance Program is going
into the second of its planned three year capital project lifecycle. At the completion of the three-
year program, approximately 100,000 street trees will be pruned. To help achieve this, the City is
investing $1M in 2021 towards this program. Pruning our street trees will increase community
accessibility on streets and sidewalks, reduce obstructions, improve the health of City trees, and
grow our urban forest.

How is Markham limiting flood risk?
As part of Markham’s 30-year Flood Control Program to improve storm
drainage capacity and to limit flooding risks, the City has earmarked
$21M for flood control and stormwater management. The City will
continue construction in the West Thornhill area in 2021 with Phase 3B,
along Johnson St. and Vanwood Rd. and Phase 4A (Royal Orchard
Blvd), as well as complete the design for the flood control plan in the
Don Mills Channel area.

The City is also investing $18.4M in water and wastewater system
replacements and upgrades, including $6.6M to reline 4.2km of cast iron watermains (John
St. and 14th Ave), $4M for the replacement of cast iron watermains (West Thornhill Phase
3B) and $3.5M to upgrade the sanitary pipes on Royal Orchard Blvd.

How is Markham improving our roads?
The City has earmarked $6.8M for asphalt resurfacing of approximately 17.5km of two and
four-lane roads, as well as completing pavement preservation on 6.8km of four-lane roads
throughout the City in order to keep roads in a good state of repair. Markham continues to
take a cost-effective and sustainable approach to extend the lifespan of the road network,
while continuing to look for ways to reduce overall maintenance costs.

What is Markham doing to safeguard City assets now and for the future?

Through Markham’s Life Cycle Replacement and Capital
Reserve Fund, the City protects assets by setting aside
0.5 per cent of the budget, ensuring that sufficient funds
are available for the rehabilitation and replacement of City
infrastructure for 25 years.

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